Smart has abandoned the one-box profile of the old car, instead granting each car a proper hood. This will increase its crash-worthiness, though has no effect on engine placement--the engine still sits under the rear luggage area, as it has on previous Smarts.

Engines too have been co-developed with Renault. The Twingo will get two three-cylinder options, a 999cc non-turbo with 70 horsepower, and an 898cc, 90-horse turbocharged unit.

It's likely Smart will use both these units, but isn't clear which will come to the U.S.

Manual and twin-clutch automatic transmissions will be available, and the car has also been designed with electric power in mind--so expect a fourth-generation Fortwo Electric Drive at some stage.

The video's implication that the car is nearly ready suggests the Fortwo and Forfour could appear on auto show stands as early as this fall--potentially the Paris Auto Show in September..